Insider Provides New Insight into Thatcher Demko’s Status and Future with the Canucks…
More changes may be coming for the Vancouver Canucks as they prepare for what is shaping up to be a transformative 2025 offseason. Amid the looming roster decisions, there’s some positive news concerning one of the team’s core players.
Goaltender Thatcher Demko, who spent the 2024 offseason focused on recovery, conditioning, and tweaking his approach to the game, is reportedly entering the summer fully healthy — a promising development that could significantly impact his career.
Now 29 and entering the final year of his contract, Demko might be on the move. Reports suggest the Canucks are reluctant to commit to a costly long-term deal, potentially opening the door for a trade.
According to NHL Network insider David Pagnotta, the Canucks appear to be placing their trust in Kevin Lankinen as their primary option, despite Demko’s clean bill of health.
“Thatcher Demko seems receptive to the idea of a new team and is likely to be considered in trade talks as he approaches the last year of his deal,” Pagnotta reported Friday. “He carries a $5 million cap hit and has no trade protection, and although past injuries have been a concern, sources say he’s healthy and already training for the upcoming season. With Vancouver committed to Lankinen, other teams in need of goaltending may view Demko as an appealing option.”
This aligns with earlier reporting by fellow NHL insider Frank Seravalli, who listed Demko among the top 20 potential trade assets for the offseason. With multiple insiders highlighting the same possibility, speculation about a trade seems increasingly credible.
Several Eastern Conference teams — including the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers — could benefit from acquiring Demko, though it remains unclear what return the Canucks would demand or what rival teams are willing to offer. What is certain is that this developing storyline is gaining momentum as June begins.
